Dock Landing Ship - LSD

BackgroundThese ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assault operations.

LSD 41 Whidbey Island class ships were designed specifically to transport and launch LCAC vessels. It has the largest capacity for these landing crafts (four) of any U.S. Navy amphibious platform. It will also provide docking and repair services for LCACs and for conventional landing crafts. In 1987 the Navy began construction on LSD 49 Harpers Ferry class which reduced LCAC capacity to two while increasing cargo capacity.